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The Best Mexican Restaurants in Toronto

The best Mexican restaurants in Toronto are flourishing - many of them are fanning across the city, with satellite locations booming wherever they open. We're not just talking tacos, either, but traditional stews, stuffed poblanos and tortilla soups. Not to mention, there's a whole new school of establishments going past traditional Tex-Mex and so-Cal styles to dish out some cross-cultural ingenuity, including variations laced with foie gras, scrapple and kimchi.

Four locations, done up in a distressed-chic style, each offer individual, neighbourhood-specific takes on Mexican fare and tequila cocktails. Expect to find fun, premium versions of guacamole, fresh seafood and an array of tortilla-topped specialties. More »

The Parkdale restaurant deals primarily in tacos and bourbon cocktails. The rotating selections on their chalkboard feature a slew of tacos priced at $3.60. Varieties tend to include Baja fish, scrapple, beef cheek and queso chorizo. More »

Street foods and street art find a common home at this vibrant taqueria on College. Signature menu items include the In Cod We Trust taco ($5), queso and chili-covered corn on the cob ($7/2), and a tequila-heavy drinks list. Look out for an east side location to open soon. More »

This two-storey restaurant in Baldwin Village serves authentic Mexican fare without a taco in sight. Dine on chile poblano relleno ($8), peppers stuffed with guac, gooseberries and pineapple, or coctel de camarones ($12), poached prawns with lots of cilantro. More »

This stunning modern Mexican restaurant in the Distillery boasts a bustling fiesta vibe with indoor and outdoor spaces flanked by paper-cut inspired chandeliers and dia de los muertos motifs. The menu is extensive, listing botanas (snacks), ceviches, upmarket tacos and especialidades de la casa. Try the crab fritters ($10) with mole vinaigrette and papaya. More »

This fine Mexican dining room on Eglinton West is home to authentic flavours presented in contemporary ways. Order classic dishes like the smoky tortilla soup ($7/cup) or sample from the addictive lineup of mini tacos stuffed with tasty things like duck carnitas ($9/3) and crisp lamb ($3.50). More »

At Queen and Shaw, traditional Mexican dishes are made with a focus on local and ethically grown ingredients. Try ceviches with sustainable seafood or daily specials that make use of Ontario produce. Vegetarian tacos al pastor are noteworthy too. More »

Better than any fast food joint, but just as comfortable, this St. Clair spot will fill you up with massive portions of authentic Mexican eats. Tacos ($9.50) are presented in DIY fashion with heaping portions of meat presented alongside salsa, ensalada and steaming tortillas. More »

This tiny Beaches taqueria is a popular destination for brunch, lunch and dinner, though snagging a seat can sometimes be a challenge. Take out reigns as locals stream in for soft corn tortillas piled with duck confit ($18) or fried calamari ($16.50). More »

The Kensington Market stalwart offers 10 types of tacos ($7.50-$10.50), 5 different fajitas ($13) and 10 varieties of quesadillas ($5-$7). Best bets include corn quesadillas stuffed with zucchini flowers and cheese, as well as the boldly-flavoured tacos de tinga, packed with shredded chicken and chipotle sauce. More »

Decorated with brightly coloured Luchador masks, this St. Clair spot does tacos in orders of three ($8) and five ($11.50), but is strict about their no mix'n'match policy. Best bet is to bring a big group to taste the most from the line-up, including al pastor, carnitas, tinga, adobata and alambre varieties. Corn-wrapped tamales ($4) are a must, too. More »

Discussion

75 Comments

El Catrin is a colossal waste of time and money. The food tastes like shit and the portion sizes are hilariously tiny.

Last year the menu had the chicken (pollo) burrito listed as 1 for $10, and was the size of a goddamn iPhone. It looks like they've updated the menu to say "mini burrito" and describe it as a 2 piece meal. The price is the same.. so I'd suspect that its the same damn burrito cut in half.

Unbelievable. Terrible list. Playa Cabana Cantina does not deserve to be on this list at all. Although tasty, GE is not Mexican. All time favourites such as El Rincon on St Clair W, or La Mexicana Restaurante in Yorkville deserve recognition.

Wow, less than a dozen comments so far and already as much vitriol as a YouTube comment thread.

Having been to El Catrin a few times since it opened, I will attest that their quality has improved drastically. Prices are quite high, though. On one hand, the portions are the perfect size for a satisfying meal ... and perfect for trying several items ... on the other, prices are a little over-the-top.

this is one of the better best mexican restaurants in toronto lists on blogto though. places like dos amigos, tierra azteca, el taquito, rebozos, maizal, la revolucion deserve to be on here more than those that got the top 3 spots. the food might be very good but its not actual mexican food.

El Trompo recently on Dinesafe list. only time I was there saw a roach under my table.
none of these things would bother me if it wasn't for the fact that the tacos al pastor are dry as a bone. give it a miss.

I used to like Mexican Salsas Grill quite a bit but the quality of their food has dipped over the last year or so. I still like them better than El Trompo though. I really like Asada Mexican Grill but the prices are higher than the norm. I also agree with other comments that Tenoch should be higher on this list. Nice to see King's Tacos on this list though although I personally think it should be higher as well.

They should consider renaming these lists to "most popular" since that's what they are. Popularity contests rather than votes on quality. Few people have been to enough of these to comment on which is the best. And I'm convinced anyone that voted for Milagro's has some serious taste issues.

El Catrin is the absolute worst. It's shocking that they serve such terrible food in a place like the distillery. Probably the only reason it's still open is because of the location since it's mostly tourists distracted by the look of the place. I was excited to have a mexican restaurant within walking distance but i'll gladly head to el trompo by ttc for the real deal

At least you included a few real Mexican restaurants amongst the list of trendoid ones. The list still misses the gems like MexiTaco on Bloor Street, but it is not fancy enough or expensive enough to make a list I think. Hipsters did not bring Mexican food to Toronto, no matter what people may believe.

Rebozos is a definite miss on this list. Totally authentic. Awesome family that runs the Rogers Road location and they've now expanded to include a College West option. Go and try it. You will not be dissapointed!

King Tacos, Tenoch, El Trompo are top-notch family-owned Mexican restaurants serving large portions, affordable prices, and amazing flavours. Owners and Chefs are also Mexican and go out of their way for patrons. Servers always have a smile on their faces, regardless of how packed they get. They don't treat you different if you don't tip. They're just glad you came to their place to eat.

I've also eaten at these other so-called Mexican restaurants listed. Some of them should be banned from cooking. They cater to people who blindly spend a fortune on mediocre food, small portions and fancy digs. All hype, no action is a better description.

so agree with you - we are King's Taco and Tenoch regulars.as for grand electric, after reading all the hype we've eaten there once and never again. over-priced and not the quality we were expecting. think just place for people to drink bourbon.

MexiTaco (Bloor/Ossington) is amazing, but I assume it doesn't ever get on these lists because they don't have that fancy "distressed" decor. MexiTaco is a small no frills place (with small patio), good prices, authentic and delicious. Still my fave in the city, despite my visits to many of the above mentioned establishments.

I agree with Robin, El Rincon Mexicano on St. Clair is by far the most authentic Mexican place in town. This place is run by Mexicans and the food is very tasty and fresh. They have a cool patio and their margaritas are the best. I've been to Catrin and Playa Cabana and there's no way their food can be listed as the best Mexican in Toronto. Those places are just a rip off.

I am not a fan of Tenoch but maybe I had a bad experience. There tacos were great but I ordered their enchiliadas con mole and it was pretty gross. Kind of tasted like nutella with chicken and a corn tortilla. Good mole doesn't taste like chocolate, it's something completely different and delicious. I was disappointed. Also El Rincon Mexicano didn't even make this list? Talk about flawed!

I agree that they're very friendly at El Rincon Mexicano and the food is great but I personally found everything pricey and the portions to be very very small. Then again, I haven't been in several years so maybe my view is skewed. I'll have to visit again!

Tacos are finger and street food... There is nothing fancy about them. They are supposed to be cheap. So I don't get why there are all these fancy places that serves them like if they were gourmet. Come on people! Fancy places that serve tacos are a rip off! They aren't Mexican obviously! Mexican people know their food. Tacos are supposed to be simple but tasty. I like kings Tacos, el trompo, tenoch, la mexicana, mariachis. Simple and tasty.

Agave y Aguacate is no Fat Chipotle's but who wants Tex-mex anyways. Here's real Mexican food and you don't need to be rolled out the door afterwards-filling but not heavy food. The desert cake thingy with lime and black salt makes me want to lick the plate.

Sorry but a list that has El Catrin in fifth place is not to be trusted. The list is upside down. "Tenoch es mi gallo". Do you want advise from Mexicans, avoid overrated Catrin, go to true Mexican food in Tenoch. Such a good value for money as well as opposed to pay lots for hardly anything.

I have to commend El Catrin. There are a few nay sayers out here, but the decor is super cool the food is great. I've eaten at many restaurants in Mexico and the flavours at el catrin are pretty authentic. Sure it's pricier than other mexican places in Toronto, but it's an upscale restaurant at the distillery district.

I don't know why the hate on El Catrin. Expensive? Yes. But the food was great when I went there recently. Took a group of 8 and everyone loved it there. Would I go often? No, due to the price, but the food was tasty!

I introduced Mexican Food to Canada in 1984. I was the founder of the first Sonora Mexican Foods Ltd with a factory in Stoney Creek, ON. Made a million,selling to the road houses and hotels. Sold out with a Handsome profit.

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What a bunch of crap!! First of all GE isnt mexican!!..Neither is Playa Cabana or Seven Lives. They are an attempt to recreate mexican food..mainly Tacos that to be honest Suck!..Now, the best mexican restaurant in my opinion would have to go to La Carnita and Frida and why isn't El Asador in this list!!..Catrin is horrible, menu is confusing and of course portions are so small, they wouldn't even fill a 3 year olds stomach. Sad to say, but BlogTO has the worse picks for restaurants, and they definitely need to do a bit more research before posting this silly articles.
PS..Do not eat at Trompo, they have gone downhill and their sanitation standards are way below , in other words.lthey are dirty!!

Who is selecting this restaurants??? Is obvious they don't know nothing about AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE. Half if not most of then are serving fusion food or simply tex-mex. Real Mexican tacos ain't fancy and are only served with cilantro, onions, lime and sauces. Non of this fusion crap that takes the price up drastically. Having owned several restaurants I will have to say that Tenoch is one of the best Authentic spots but their issue is the service and time frame waiting for a meal. King tacos portions are good but lack taste and are dripping in oil. Rebozos is good all around. Cinco de Mayo on St. Clair is by far one of the best spots but has a small menu and can definately use a liquor license. King tacos doesn't have a license either. El catrin is just a fancy place with expensive fusion food but I guess with a high rent like them it has to be expensive to make that spot profitable. To the individual that said tacos are so expensive in Toronto in comparison to Mexico??? You need to own a business in Toronto to understand the numbers. Most restaurants price their food based on several factors such as payroll, rent, food cost, etc...

I'm sooooo frustrated that Playa Cabana made this list, and not its competition just down the street, La Revolucion. I've lived in the Junction for over 10 years now, and La Revolucion has under gone more than a few changes. The inconsistency has been really unfortunate, but it seems they have really settled into a totally unpretentious and authentically Mexican vibe. The food is always super affordable and fresh.